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Romania Advances in Acquiring Over 40 AAV-7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles from US.
The Romanian Armed Forces are progressing in their plans to acquire additional AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicles from the United States. This follows a July 2023 announcement by the U.S. Department of State, which authorized the potential sale of these vehicles to Romania. According to recent reports from September 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defense has submitted a request to Parliament to approve the purchase of a greater number of units than initially planned.
The AAV-7A1, or amphibious assault vehicle, is an armored vehicle designed to operate both on land and in aquatic environments. (Picture source: US DoD)
The original authorization from July 2023 included a batch of 16 AAV-7A1 vehicles, complemented by three command post variants and two vehicle recovery models. The estimated cost of this initial batch was approximately $120.5 million. Although no specific supplier has been designated, it is expected that the AAV-7A1 units will come from the U.S. Marine Corps’ inventory, as the Corps is replacing these vehicles with the new 8×8 Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) from BAE Systems, based on the Iveco Defense Vehicles SuperAV platform.
In September 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defense submitted a revised request to Parliament, seeking approval for the acquisition of 44 AAV-7A1 vehicles. This updated proposal raises the estimated investment to $210 million, reflecting the expanded scope of the procurement.
Romanian defense officials have justified this acquisition as a crucial step in equipping the country’s armed forces with modern military equipment to enhance tactical flexibility, survivability, mobility, situational awareness, and firepower. These improvements align with NATO and EU defense planning objectives and are part of the Romanian Army Transformation Program, which aims to achieve operational goals by 2040.
The AAV-7A1, or amphibious assault vehicle, is an armored vehicle designed to operate both on land and in aquatic environments, meeting the modern armed forces' demands for rapid deployment and intervention operations. Developed by the United States, this vehicle is distinguished by its robustness, transport capacity, and versatility. Weighing 25 tons, it is equipped to carry a crew of three and up to 25 soldiers, while providing effective protection with its 45 mm armor, reinforced by the EAAK system, which shields it against small arms fire up to 14.5 mm and 155 mm shell fragments.
In terms of armament, the AAV-7A1 is equipped with a 40 mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun, providing significant firepower to support disembarked troops or engage enemy threats. Additionally, it features eight smoke grenade launchers and a Mk154 mine-clearing system, enhancing its effectiveness in complex or hostile environments.
Regarding mobility, the AAV-7A1 can reach a speed of 72 km/h on roads and navigate at speeds of 13 km/h or 7 km/h in water, using water jets or tracks, respectively. Its range of 480 kilometers on land and 20 nautical miles in water makes it a key asset for extended missions without immediate resupply. With dimensions of 8.16 meters in length, 3.27 meters in width, and 3.31 meters in height, it maintains an imposing silhouette while being optimized for efficient transport.
Used by numerous nations, including Argentina, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, the AAV-7A1 has established itself as a benchmark in amphibious armored vehicles. Its amphibious projection capabilities, combined with strong protection and firepower, make it a strategic asset for armed forces operating in maritime contexts or requiring rapid and secure landings.
This acquisition reflects Romania's commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities in line with its strategic objectives as a NATO member. The addition of AAV-7A1 vehicles would provide the Romanian Armed Forces with enhanced amphibious capabilities, essential for operations in diverse environments and to address emerging security challenges in the region.